Former football standout found dead

Beth Sergent bsergent@civitasmedia.com

July 15, 2014

POINT PLEASANT — A young man who once had a bright future in the world of football was found dead in his Mount Vernon Avenue home on Monday.

According to the Point Pleasant Police Department, Allan O. Wasonga, 21, of Point Pleasant, was found already deceased inside his apartment. Officers were dispatched to Wasonga’s apartment to answer a call of an unresponsive male at approximately 10:24 a.m. Monday.

The PPPD has begun an investigation into the death of Wasonga. His body was sent to the West Virginia State Medical Examiner’s Office in Charleston to determine the cause of death. It’s possible at least preliminary results could be available later in the week, though that is not certain. Despite rumors running wild across the community regarding Wasonga’s death, there has been nothing certain confirmed about it, other than it happened.

In March, Wasonga was arrested by the PPPD following a traffic stop in which he was the driver. At the time, officers reported they found one large bag and one small bag, each containing a substance consistent with heroin, on the vehicle. According to the PPPD, one ounce of heroin was seized with an estimated street value of $4,000, as well as $399 in cash — the cash was allegedly found on Wasonga’s person, along with other evidence not detailed in the criminal complaint.

In May, a grand jury indicted Wasonga for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and conspiracy.

At this time, the PPPD is collecting evidence in the case and interviewing witnesses who may’ve come into contact with Wasonga prior to his death. Anyone who has information concerning this case may call the PPPD at 304-675-1104.

A talented running back, Wasonga had previously been a football standout at Point Pleasant High School and later Parkersburg High School; he graduated from PHS in 2011. At one time, he had committed to play football at Marshall University, but was released early in his freshman season.

In his junior year at PHS in 2009, Wasonga finished second in the voting for the Kennedy Award, given to the top high school player in West Virginia. Also in 2009 at PHS, he rushed for 2,300 yards and 28 touchdowns and was named West Virginia’s Gatorade Player of the Year.